[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 99 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27936-27937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12896]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Parts 301-53 and 301-74

[FTR Case 2003-304; FTR Amendment 2003-04]
RIN 3090-AH81


Federal Travel Regulation; Using Promotional Materials; 
Conference Planning

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) by 
clarifying provisions regarding promotional benefits or materials that 
a conference planner receives from a travel service provider. The 
explanation of changes is addressed in the supplementary information 
below.

DATES: Effective Date: May 22, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat, Room 4035, 
GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 208-7312, for information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
content, contact Mr. Jim Harte, Office of Governmentwide Policy, Travel 
Management Policy, at (202) 501-0438. Please cite FTR case 2003-304, 
FTR Amendment 2003-04.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The changes in this final rule clarify existing sections of chapter 
301 as follows:
    1. In Sec.  301-53.2 a new note is added.
    2. Section 301-53.3 is revised.
    3. Section 301-74.1 is revised by redesignating paragraph (d) as 
paragraph (e) and adding a new paragraph (d).

B. Executive Order 12866

    This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is 
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This final rule is not required to be published in the Federal 
Register for notice and comment; therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., does not apply.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FTR do not impose recordkeeping or information collection 
requirements, or the collection of information from offerors, 
contractors, or members of the public that require the approval of the 
Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This final rule is also exempt from congressional review prescribed 
under 5 U.S.C. 801 since it relates solely to agency management and 
personnel.

List of Subjects in 41 CFR Parts 301-53 and 301-74

    Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.

    Dated: May 12, 2003.
Stephen A. Perry,
Administrator of General Services.


0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-5709, 
GSA amends 41 CFR parts 301-53 and 301-74 as set forth below:

PART 301-53--USING PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AND FREQUENT TRAVELER 
PROGRAMS

0
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-53 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707, 31 U.S.C. 1353.


0
2. Amend Sec.  301-53.2 by adding a note to read as follows:


Sec.  301-53.2  What may I do with promotional benefits or materials I 
receive from a travel service provider?

* * * * *

    Note to Sec.  301-53.2: Promotional benefits or materials you 
receive from a travel service

[[Page 27937]]

provider in connection with your planning and/or scheduling an 
official conference or other group travel (as opposed to performing 
official travel yourself) are considered property of the Government, 
and you may only accept the benefits or materials on behalf of the 
Federal Government (see Sec.  301-74.1(d) of this chapter).


0
3. Revise Sec.  301-53.3 to read as follows:


Sec.  301-53.3  How may I use promotional materials and frequent 
traveler benefits?

    Promotional materials and frequent traveler benefits may be used as 
follows:
    (a) You may use frequent traveler benefits earned on official 
travel to obtain travel services for a subsequent official travel 
assignment(s); however, you may also retain such benefits for your 
personal use, including upgrading to a higher class of service while on 
official travel.
    (b) If you are offered such benefits as a result of your role as a 
conference planner or as a planner for other group travel, you may not 
retain such benefits for your personal use (see Sec.  301-53.2 of this 
chapter). Rather, you may only accept such benefits on behalf of the 
Federal Government. Such accepted benefits may only be used for 
official Government business.

PART 301-74--CONFERENCE PLANNING

0
4. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-74 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707.


0
5. Amend Sec.  301-74.1 by redesignating paragraph (d) as paragraph (e) 
and adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  301-74.1  What policies must we follow in planning a conference?

* * * * *
    (d) Ensure that the conference planner or designee does not retain 
for personal use any promotional benefits or materials received from a 
travel service provider as a result of booking the conference (see 
Sec. Sec.  301-53.2 and 301-53.3 of this chapter); and
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 03-12896 Filed 5-21-03; 8:45 am]
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